Tape removal apparatus and process for use with an automated composite tape laying machine

ABSTRACT

Apparatus are provided for attaching to a composite tape lamination machine in order to remove composite scrap tape material from a backing paper. When a moveable member is in one position composite non-scrap tape material on a backing paper is directed along a path to avoid a removing member and keep composite non-scrap tape material on a backing paper. When the moveable member is in another position composite scrap tape material on a backing paper is directed along a different path to contact the removing member and remove composite scrap tape material from a backing paper. Composite scrap tape material may be disposed in a scrap disposal member. Backing paper having attached composite non-scrap tape material and not having attached composite scrap tape material may be spooled using a spool roller.

BACKGROUND

One or more apparatus and methods exist for automatically preparingcassette spools wound with tape material, such as prepeg unidirectionaltape, on original backing paper. This tape material may be used to forma laminate. In one existing apparatus/method, tape material on backingpaper is unrolled from a supply reel, the tape material is cut into therequired configuration, removed from the original backing paper, andthen transferred to another release backing paper and wound onto acassette spool. However, the transferring of the tape material toanother backing paper may create problems. The tape material may losesome of its tacking ability, may not align as well on the new backingpaper, may not adhere well to the new backing paper, and may haveplacement problems when placed on a working surface. Further, the newbacking paper may tear, may delaminate from the tape, may stretch and/orhave tension problems, may form wrinkles when the tape is placed onto aworking surface, and/or may not allow good tacking of the tape materialonto the working surface. This may cause problems with tape lifting fromthe working surface, or may cause wrinkles to be formed in the laminateduring tape material layup. Moreover, the process of putting the tapematerial onto a new backing paper may require more than one machine, mayincrease the costs, may increase the time required, may reduceefficiency, and/or may lead to one or more other problems.

An apparatus, and/or method of removing composite scrap tape materialfrom a backing paper, is needed to decrease one or more problemsassociated with one or more of the existing apparatus and/or methods.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed for attachingto a composite tape lamination machine in order to remove compositescrap tape material from a backing paper. The apparatus comprises atleast one attachment member for attaching the apparatus to a compositetape lamination machine. The apparatus further comprises at least oneremoving member for removing composite scrap tape material from abacking paper. The apparatus additionally comprises at least onemoveable member. When the moveable member is in one position compositenon-scrap tape material on a backing paper is directed along a path toavoid the at least one removing member and keep composite non-scrap tapematerial on a backing paper. When the moveable member is in anotherposition composite scrap tape material on a backing paper is directedalong a different path to contact the at least one removing member andremove composite scrap tape material from a backing paper. The apparatusalso comprises a scrap disposal member for disposing of composite scraptape material which has been removed from a backing paper. The apparatusadditionally comprises a spool roller for spooling up backing paperhaving attached composite non-scrap tape material and not havingattached composite scrap tape material.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a method is disclosed of removingcomposite scrap tape material from a backing paper. In one step, anapparatus is provided comprising at least one attachment member, atleast one removing member, at least one moveable member, a scrapdisposal member, and a spool roller. In another step, the apparatus isattached to a composite tape lamination machine using the at least oneattachment member. In still another step, composite tape material is cuton the backing paper using the composite tape lamination machine. In yetanother step, composite non-scrap tape material on the backing paper ismoved along one path to avoid contact with the at least one removingmember with the at least one moveable member in one position. In anadditional step, the composite non-scrap tape material on the backingpaper is spooled with the spool roller. In a further step, the at leastone moveable member is moved into another position so that the compositescrap tape material contacts the at least one removing member. In yetanother step, the composite scrap tape material is removed from thebacking paper using the at least one removing member. In an additionalstep, the composite scrap tape material which has been removed from thebacking paper is disposed into the scrap disposal member. In a furtherstep, the backing paper without the composite scrap tape material isspooled with the spool roller.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the disclosure willbecome better understood with reference to the following drawings,description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a partial side perspective view of one embodiment of anapparatus attached to a composite tape lamination machine with someinner components of the apparatus exposed;

FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view through line 2-2 of theembodiment of FIG. 1 with one or more moveable members of the apparatusin a raised position, and some of the components of the apparatus andcomposite tape lamination machine not shown;

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view through line 3-3 of theembodiment of FIG. 1 with the one or more moveable members of theapparatus in another lowered position, and some of the components of theapparatus and composite tape lamination machine not shown;

FIG. 4 shows a partial top-side perspective view of only the combmember, high tack roller, and adhesive/tape strips of the apparatus ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a method of removing composite scrap tapematerial from backing paper;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an aircraft production and servicemethodology; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out the disclosure. The description is not to be takenin a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustratingthe general principles of the disclosure, since the scope of thedisclosure is best defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 shows a partial side perspective view of one embodiment of anapparatus 10 attached to a composite tape lamination machine 12. Someinner components of the apparatus 10 which would normally be hidden inthis view have been shown in order to explain the workings of theapparatus 10. FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-sectional view through line2-2 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with one or more moveable members 14 ofthe apparatus 10 in one raised (or retracted) position 16, and some ofthe components of the apparatus 10 and composite tape lamination machine12 not shown in order to explain the workings of the apparatus 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus 10 may be retro-fitted attachedto an existing composite tape lamination machine 12 using one or moreattachment members 18. The attachment members 18 may comprise bolts,clamping members, or other types of attachment members. The compositetape lamination machine 12 may comprise a supply spool 20, at least onecutting member 22, a second roll-up spool 24, and a servo-drive 26. Thesupply spool 20 may supply tape material 28 on backing paper 30 whichmay be unrolled from the supply spool 20 and pass through the at leastone cutting member 22. The tape material 28 may comprise for example andwithout limitation a composite prepeg (pre-impregnated with resin)unidirectional tape, a graphite, ceramic, a graphite epoxy composite,aramid, glass, or other tape material. The at least one cutting member22 of the composite tape lamination machine 12 may cut the supplied tapematerial 28 in a pre-determined configuration while still on the backingpaper 30.

The apparatus 10 may comprise the one or more attachment members 18, aradius surface 32, a detection system 34, a pneumatic cylinder 36, oneor more moveable members 14, one or more removing members 40, combmember 42, one or more nip rollers 44, scrap disposal member 46,computer 48, spool roller 50, and gear members 52 and 54. After beingcut by the at least one cutting member 22, the tape material 28 onbacking paper 30 may move along radius surface 32. As the tape material28 on backing paper 30 moves along the radius surface 32, the detectionsystem 34 may detect at least one of a leading edge and a cut line ofthe tape material 28 on the backing paper 30. The detection system 34may comprise at least one of a sensor array 35 and a computer 48. Thedetection system 34 may utilize an algorithm to detect the leading edgeand/or cut line of the tape material 28.

If the detection system 34 detects that the tape material 28 on thebacking paper 30 passing over the radius surface 32 comprises non-scraptape material 56, the one or more moveable members 14, which maycomprise one or more moveable finger members, may be put into one raised(or retracted) position 16 of FIG. 2 using the pneumatic cylinder 36and/or computer 48. In normal operation, the one or more moveablemembers 14 may remain in the raised position 16 except when thedetection system 34 detects that scrap tape material 72 is passingthrough as shown in FIG. 3, at which time the moveable members 14 mayextend as discussed later herein. When the one or more moveable members14 are in position 16, the non-scrap tape material 56 on backing paper30 may be directed along path 58 to avoid the one or more removingmembers 40 in order to keep the non-scrap tape material 56 on thebacking paper 30. Tension may be maintained on the non-scrap tapematerial 56 on the backing paper 30 at all times due to the non-scraptape material 56 being wound around spools 20 and 50. The non-scrap tapematerial 56 on the backing paper 30 may follow path 58 over the radiussurface 32 and may then be rolled up by the spool roller 50.

The spool roller 50 may be driven by the gear members 52 and 54. Gearmember 52 of the apparatus may be retrofitted attached to the secondroll-up spool 24 of the composite tape lamination machine 12 byattaching it to the hub 60 of the second roll-up spool 24. Gear member54 may be driven by gear member 52. Spool roller 50 of the apparatus 10may be driven by gear member 54 through belt 62. Servo drive 26 of thecomposite tape lamination machine 12 may drive second roll-up spool 24through belt 64. When servo drive 26 drives second roll-up spool 24 in aclockwise direction 66, attached gear member 52 may also be driven in aclockwise direction 66. Gear member 52 may drive gear member 54 in acounter-clockwise direction 68. Gear member 54 may drive spool roller 50in a counter-clockwise direction 68 which is reversibly driven withrespect to the clockwise movement 66 of second roll-up spool 24. In suchmanner, the spool roller 50 of the apparatus 10 may be reversibly drivenby the servo drive 26 of the composite tape lamination machine 12 inorder to roll up the non-scrap tape material 56 on backing paper 30after it has moved over path 58.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view through line 3-3 of theembodiment of FIG. 1 with the one or more moveable members 14 of theapparatus 10 in another lowered (or extended) position 70, and some ofthe components of the apparatus 10 and composite tape lamination machine12 not shown in order to explain the workings of the apparatus 10. Whenthe detection system 34 detects that the tape material 28 on the backingpaper 30 passing over the radius surface 32 comprises scrap tapematerial 72, the one or more moveable members 14 may be put into theanother lowered (or extended) position 70 of FIG. 3 using the pneumaticcylinder 36 and/or computer 48. When the one or more moveable members 14are in position 70, the scrap tape material 72 on backing paper 30 maybe directed along different path 74 to contact the one or more removingmembers 40 in order to remove the scrap tape material 72 from thebacking paper 30.

When in position 70, the one or more moveable members 14, which maycomprise one or moveable finger members, may be disposed near the one ormore removing members 40. In such manner, as shown in FIG. 3, the one ormore moveable members 14 may abut against the backing paper 30, whichmay have a smooth low friction surface, to force the scrap tape material72 moving along path 74 to abut and/or stick against the one or moreremoving members 40.

FIG. 4 shows a partial top-side perspective view of only the comb member42, high tack roller 76, and adhesive/tape strips 78 of the apparatus 10of the embodiment of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the one or moreremoving members 40 may comprise at least one high tack roller 76 whichis rotating in clockwise direction 66, and is at least partially coveredby a plurality of adhesive and/or tape strips 78 which are rolled arounda plurality of spaced apart portions 80 of the high tack roller 76. Inother embodiments, one or more adhesive and/or tape strips 78 may beattached to any portion of the high tack roller 76. The adhesive and/ortape strips 78 may be removable from the high tack roller 76 to providerefreshed strips when their tackiness wears out.

The comb member 42 of the apparatus 10 may be disposed over a portion 82of the high tack roller 76. The comb member 42 may comprise a curvedsurface 84 and a plurality of spaced apart fingers 86. The plurality ofspaced apart fingers 86 may be disposed over the high tack roller 76with the plurality of adhesive and/or tape strips 78 disposed betweenthe plurality of spaced apart fingers 86.

As shown by viewing FIGS. 3 and 4, when the scrap tape material 72moving along path 74 contacts the adhesive and/or tape strips 78 of therotating high tack roller 76, due to the extended moveable members 14abutting against the backing paper 30, the tackiness of the adhesiveand/or tape strips 78 will cause the scrap tape material 72 to stick tothe adhesive and/or tape strips 78 and to separate from the backingpaper 30 due to the rotation of the high tack roller 76. The separatedscrap tape material 72 may then rotate in clockwise direction 66 due tothe rotation of the rotating high tack roller 76. As the rotating hightack roller 76 drops below the surface path of the comb member 42, thetack induced adhesion is broken releasing the scrap tape material 72from the high tack roller 76. The spaced apart fingers 86 of the combmember 42, which may be coated or manufactured from a low frictionplastic to reducing sticking of the scrap tape material 72, may thenforce the separated scrap tape material 72 to move along path 74 alongthe curved surface 84 of the comb member 42.

The separated scrap tape material 72 may then continue along path 74between the one or more nip rollers 44 and the curved surface 84 of thecomb member 42. The nip rollers 44 may be rotating in acounter-clockwise direction 68 which may force the separated scrap tapematerial 72 to abut against and continue along the curved surface 84 andinto the scrap disposal member 46. In other embodiments, one or more niprollers 44 may be used as long as the revolutions per minute of the niprollers 44 is equal to or slightly greater than that of the feed rate ofthe scrap tape material 72. The scrap disposal member 46 may comprise atleast one of a scrap disposal bag and a scrap disposal receptacle fordisposing of the scrap tape material 72 which has been removed from thebacking paper 30.

The backing paper 30 which has been separated from the scrap tapematerial 72 may travel along path 58 over the radius surface 32 and maythen be rolled up by the spool roller 50 which may be reversibly drivenby the servo drive 26 of the composite tape lamination machine 12. Insuch manner, the spool roller 50 may spool up the backing paper 30 withthe scrap tape material 72 removed from the backing paper 30.

By attaching the apparatus 10 to an existing composite tape laminationmachine 12, scrap tape material 72 may be removed from backing paper 30in a less costly, less timely, and/or more timely manner. Use of theapparatus 10 may also reduce one or more other types of problemsassociated with one or more of the existing composite tape laminationmachines.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method 188 of removingcomposite scrap tape material 72 from a backing paper 30. In one step189, an apparatus 10 is provided comprising at least one attachmentmember 18, at least one removing member 40, at least one moveable member14, a scrap disposal member 46, and a spool roller 50. In otherembodiments, the apparatus 10, including its components, may compriseany of the embodiments disclosed herein. Moreover, the apparatus 10,including its components, may function in any of the ways hereindescribed.

In another step 190, the apparatus 10 may be attached to a compositetape lamination machine 12 using the at least one attachment member 18.The composite tape lamination machine 12, including its components, maycomprise any of the embodiments disclosed herein. Moreover, thecomposite tape lamination machine 12, including its components, mayfunction in any of the ways herein described. Step 190 may compriseretrofitting the apparatus 10 to the composite tape lamination machine12 using the at least one attachment member 18. In an additional step191, composite tape material 28 on the backing paper 30 may be cut usingthe composite tape lamination machine 12.

In still another step 192, composite non-scrap tape material 56 on thebacking paper 30 may be moved along one path 58 to avoid contact withthe at least one removing member 40 while the at least one moveablemember 14 is in one position 16. While in position 16, the at least onemoveable member 14 may be disposed away from the at least one removingmember 40. In yet another step 193, the composite non-scrap tapematerial 56 on the backing paper 30 may be spooled with the spool roller50.

In step 194, the at least one moveable member 14 may be moved intoanother position 70 so that the composite scrap tape material 72contacts the at least one removing member 40. While in position 70, themoveable member 14 may be disposed near the at least one removing member40. In an additional step 195, the composite scrap tape material 72 isremoved from the backing paper 30 using the at least one removing member40. In yet another step 196, the composite scrap tape material 72 whichhas been removed from the backing paper 30 is disposed of into the scrapdisposal member 46. In still another step 197, the backing paper 30without the composite scrap tape material 72 is spooled with the spoolroller 50.

One or more embodiment of the disclosure may reduce and/or eliminate oneor more problems which may have been experienced by one or more of theexisting apparatus or methods. For instance, one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure may reduce the numbers and amounts of backing paperneeded, may reduce costs, may reduce the number of machines required,may substantially reduce time since the process may be carried outwithout transferring cut tape to new backing paper, may lead to lesswrinkling and/or tension in the tape material against the backing papersince new backing paper is not required, may improve the adherence ofthe cut tape to the backing paper since new backing paper is notrequired, may reduce tacking problems, may reduce problems intransferring tape resin to new backing paper, may improve efficiency,may be less complex, may be more reliable, may be more accurate, maymake it less difficult to place tape against working surfaces byproviding improved tracking and guidance, may reduce tape lifting fromworking surfaces, and/or may reduce and/or eliminate one or more othertypes of problems in one or more of the existing apparatus and/ormethods.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, embodiments of thedisclosure may be described in the context of an aircraft manufacturingand service method 201 as shown in FIG. 6 and an aircraft 203 as shownin FIG. 7. During pre-production, exemplary method 201 may includespecification and design 205 of the aircraft 203 and materialprocurement 207. During production, component and subassemblymanufacturing 209 and system integration 211 of the aircraft 203 takesplace. Thereafter, the aircraft 203 may go through certification anddelivery 213 in order to be placed in service 215. While in service by acustomer, the aircraft 203 is scheduled for routine maintenance andservice 217 (which may also include modification, reconfiguration,refurbishment, and so on).

Each of the processes of method 201 may be performed or carried out by asystem integrator, a third party, and/or an operator (e.g., a customer).For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may includewithout limitation any number of aircraft manufacturers and major-systemsubcontractors; a third party may include without limitation any numberof venders, subcontractors, and suppliers; and an operator may be anairline, leasing company, military entity, service organization, and soon.

As shown in FIG. 7, the aircraft 203 produced by exemplary method 201may include an airframe 219 with a plurality of systems 221 and aninterior 223. Examples of high-level systems 221 include one or more ofa propulsion system 225, an electrical system 227, a hydraulic system229, and an environmental system 231. Any number of other systems may beincluded. Although an aerospace example is shown, the principles of theinvention may be applied to other industries, such as the automotiveindustry.

Apparatus and methods embodied herein may be employed during any one ormore of the stages of the production and service method 201. Forexample, components or subassemblies corresponding to production process209 may be fabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to componentsor subassemblies produced while the aircraft 203 is in service. Also,one or more apparatus embodiments, method embodiments, or a combinationthereof may be utilized during the production stages 209 and 211, forexample, by substantially expediting assembly of or reducing the cost ofan aircraft 203. Similarly, one or more of apparatus embodiments, methodembodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while the aircraft203 is in service, for example and without limitation, to maintenanceand service 217.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the disclosure and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure asset forth in the following claims.

1. An apparatus for attaching to a composite tape lamination machine inorder to remove composite scrap tape material from a backing papercomprising: at least one attachment member for attaching the apparatusto a composite tape lamination machine; at least one removing member forremoving composite scrap tape material from a backing paper; at leastone moveable member, wherein when the moveable member is in one positioncomposite non-scrap tape material on a backing paper is directed along apath to avoid the at least one removing member and keep compositenon-scrap tape material on a backing paper, and when the moveable memberis in another position composite scrap tape material on a backing paperis directed along a different path to contact the at least one removingmember and remove composite scrap tape material from a backing paper; ascrap disposal member for disposing of composite scrap tape materialwhich has been removed from a backing paper; and a spool roller forspooling up backing paper having attached composite non-scrap tapematerial and not having attached composite scrap tape material.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is retrofitted to a compositetape lamination machine.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the atleast one attachment member comprises at least one of a clamping memberand a bolt.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is forattaching to a composite tape lamination machine comprising a supplyspool for supplying tape material on backing paper and at least onecutting member for cutting tape material on backing paper.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one removing member comprisesat least one high tack roller.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein saidat least one high tack roller is at least partially covered by at leastone of adhesive and tape.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said atleast one high tack roller is at least partially covered by a pluralityof at least one of adhesive and tape which are rolled around a pluralityof spaced apart portions of said at least one high tack roller.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein said at least one of adhesive and tape isremovable from said at least one high tack roller.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises a comb member comprisinga curved surface and a plurality of spaced apart fingers.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9 wherein said at least one removing member comprisesat least one high tack roller, and said plurality of spaced apartfingers are disposed over said at least one high track roller with aplurality of at least one of adhesive, a high tack surface, and tapedisposed between said plurality of spaced apart fingers.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 9 wherein at least one nip roller is disposed nearsaid curved surface of said comb member.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said at least one moveable member comprises at least one fingermember.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said at least one removingmember comprises at least one high tack roller, wherein when said atleast one finger member is disposed away from said at least one hightack roller composite non-scrap tape material on a backing paper isdirected along the path to avoid the at least one high tack roller andkeep composite non-scrap tape material on a backing paper, and whereinwhen said at least one finger member is disposed near said at least onehigh tack roller composite scrap tape material on a backing paper isdirected along the different path to contact the at least one high tackroller and remove composite scrap tape material from a backing paper.14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the scrap disposal member comprisesat least one of a scrap disposal bag and a scrap disposal receptacle.15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus further comprises atleast one gear member which is adapted to drive the spool roller. 16.The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the apparatus further comprises twogear members, wherein one of the gear members is adapted to be attachedto a second spool roller of a composite tape lamination machine in orderfor the spool roller of the apparatus to be reversibly driven by a drivemember driving a second spool roller of a composite tape laminationmachine.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a detectionsystem for detecting at least one of a leading edge and a cut line oftape material on backing paper.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 whereinthe detection system comprises at least one of a sensor array and acomputer.
 19. A method of removing composite scrap tape material from abacking paper comprising: providing an apparatus comprising at least oneattachment member, at least one removing member, at least one moveablemember, a scrap disposal member, and a spool roller; attaching theapparatus to a composite tape lamination machine using said at least oneattachment member; cutting composite tape material on the backing paperusing the composite tape lamination machine; moving composite non-scraptape material on the backing paper along one path to avoid contact withthe at least one removing member with the at least one moveable memberin one position; spooling the composite non-scrap tape material on thebacking paper with the spool roller; moving the at least one moveablemember into another position so that the composite scrap tape materialcontacts the at least one removing member; removing the composite scraptape material from the backing paper using the at least one removingmember; disposing of the composite scrap tape material which has beenremoved from the backing paper into the scrap disposal member; andspooling the backing paper without the composite scrap tape materialwith the spool roller.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the attachingstep comprises retrofitting the apparatus to the composite tapelamination machine using said at least one attachment member.
 21. Themethod of claim 19 wherein the at least one attachment member comprisesat least one of a clamping member and a bolt.
 22. The method of claim 19wherein the composite tape lamination machine comprises a supply spoolwhich supplies the composite tape material on the backing paper and atleast one cutting member which cuts the composite tape material on thebacking paper.
 23. The method of claim 19 wherein said at least oneremoving member comprises at least one high tack roller.
 24. The methodof claim 23 wherein said at least one high tack roller is at leastpartially covered by at least one of adhesive and tape.
 25. The methodof claim 24 wherein said at least one high tack roller is at leastpartially covered by a plurality of at least one of adhesive and tapewhich are rolled around a plurality of spaced apart portions of said atleast one high tack roller.
 26. The method of claim 24 wherein said atleast one of adhesive and tape is removable from said at least one hightack roller.
 27. The method of claim 19 wherein the apparatus furthercomprises a comb member comprising a curved surface and a plurality ofspaced apart fingers.
 28. The method of claim 27 wherein said at leastone removing member comprises at least one high tack roller, and saidplurality of spaced apart fingers are disposed over said at least onehigh track roller with a plurality of at least one of adhesive and tapedisposed between said plurality of spaced apart fingers.
 29. The methodof claim 27 wherein at least one nip roller is disposed near said curvedsurface of said comb member.
 30. The method of claim 19 wherein said atleast one moveable member comprises at least one finger member.
 31. Themethod of claim 30 wherein said at least one removing member comprisesat least one high tack roller, wherein when the moveable member is inthe one position said at least one finger is disposed away from said atleast one high tack roller.
 32. The method of claim 30 wherein said atleast one removing member comprises at least one high tack roller,wherein when the moveable member is in the another position said atleast one finger is disposed near said at least one high tack roller.33. The method of claim 19 wherein the scrap disposal member comprisesat least one of a scrap disposal bag and a scrap disposal receptacle.34. The method of claim 19 wherein the apparatus further comprises atleast one gear member driving the spool roller.
 35. The method of claim34 wherein the apparatus further comprises two gear members, one of thegear members is attached to a second spool roller of the composite tapelamination machine, and the spool roller of the apparatus is reversiblydriven by a drive member driving the second spool roller of thecomposite tape lamination machine.
 36. The method of claim 19 whereinthe apparatus further comprises a detection system which detects atleast one of a leading edge and a cut line of the composite tapematerial on the backing paper.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein thedetection system comprises at least one of a sensor array and acomputer.